As we're all aware of by now - it's been over a month since the death of ol' "Ziggy Stardust / Major Tom / Starman / Goblin King Jareth"...and considering how I'm a month overdue for what I'm presenting to you all this week, what better time than today to pay the best possible tribute?

Inspired by not only his legacy alone, but that of the combined efforts of Lucas & the late Henson - why not recreate its opening theme in the usual, tried-and-true NES format right?  Speaking of which, there was a Japan-only Famicom adaptation of Labyrinth by Tokuma, Atlus & Activision - which for the record, DID NOT include this song AT ALL.  

Original Song: David Bowie (RIP, Courtesy EMI) [under FAIR USE, NO INFRINGEMENT/PLAGIARISM INTENDED]

David Bowie's "Underground" (8-Bit Cover)

Recorded in the summer of '66, this popular hit wasn't released until the start of the following year, but originated as a Robby Krieger composition, with the late Morrison writing the second verse.  Although the album version was just over seven minutes long, it was widely requested for radio play, so a single version was edited to under three minutes with nearly all the instrumental break removed for airplay on AM radio (the latter of which was translated for this particular cover).

Info aside, I also suggest watching the Oliver Stone film with Kilmer, Whaley, Dillon & MacLachlan portraying the entire band (by the ill-fated Carolco)...and sinking your ears into this long-awaited tribute!!

Original Song: The Doors (The Late JIM MORRISON / RAY MANZAREK; with the still-existent JOHN DENSMORE & ROBBY KRIEGER, Elektra Records 1966-67)

The Doors' "Light My Fire" (8-Bit Cover)

"The future... Civilization died in the cataclysms. The Draconians were born from the death of Old Earth. Who will rule the new Urth?"

After 1/4 of a century, who could forget that opening sequence...let alone one of its supporting stage themes?!  Hailing from one of the most controversial VS fighters rivaling even WB / Netherrealm Studios / the ill-fated Midway's ever-popular MK franchise....except this was by the once-great-but-long-since-buried Atari, here's my usual NES tribute to Sauron's 'Red Beach' stage - featuring cues from its Genesis (the one I'm the most familiar with amongst many other ports) and CD soundtrack, "All the Rage".

Original Song: Doug Brandon / Steven Kirk / Andrew Brock (Courtesy Time Warner / Atari, with Probe - R.I.P. 1994-95)

Primal Rage - "Beachin' (Sauron's Theme)" (NES Version)

"No bathroom stuff!"  Who could forget the 10-episode CBS mockumentary series, revolving around the fictionalized versions of 2 actors - one of who's the same age as YOURS TRULY, NO LESS (speaking of which, I'm officially 31 as of 4 days ago) - and their ongoing struggles to write and sell a TV series pilot to a network, from a decade ago no less...let alone its nameless opening theme, which sounds like it's sampled from an '80s song?  

If only - who could've guessed? - THAT SHOW could've had an NES adaptation...  But wonder no more, as this tribute was composed 4 years ago!

Original Song - UNKNOWN; "Clark and Michael" is owned by CBS - under FAIR USE (NO INFRINGEMENT/PLAGIARISM INTENDED)

'Clark and Michael' - Opening Theme (8-BIt Cover)

From their 7th studio album circa 1990, 'Violator' - this classic DEPECHE MODE ballad was first recorded 3 decades ago prior to the fact, thanks to its legendary songwriter's (Gore) initial, ballad-like version which was reworked into the finalized uptempo version at the whim of its then-backup vocalist/keyboardist (Wilder).

Original Song:  Depeche Mode (Gahan, Gore, Wilder & Fletcher - Mute Records, 1989-90) - under FAIR USE (NO INFRINGEMENT/PLAGIARISM INTENDED)

Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence" (8-Bit Cover)

Hailing from this legendary 4-piece emo/punk rock band's 6th studio album, 'Sing the Sorrow', from over a decade and a half - this is also featured as a playable track in Harmonix's Rock Band 2 & Guitar Hero 5 / Live, as well as in the ill-fated Tapulous' Tap Tap Revenge.  Now - as ever - hear it like you've never heard it before...MINUS ALL THAT FAKE-ASS "GXSCC" CRAP!!

Original Song: AFI [A Fire Inside] (Gahan, Gore, Wilder & Fletcher - Dreamworks Records, 2003) - under FAIR USE (NO INFRINGEMENT/PLAGIARISM INTENDED)

AFI's "Girl's Not Grey" (8-Bit Cover)

In memory of the band's recently-deceased frontman, Ric Ocasek... I've decided to whip up my usual, long-awaited NES tribute to their legacy as it was set in stone more than 4 decades ago - in their first-ever, self-titled album no less!  And don't think I've never heard it before, because I have...(I'm looking at YOU, Circuit City)

Original Song: The Cars (Easton, Hawkes, the late Ocasek / Orr, Robinson & Baker - Elektra 1978) - under FAIR USE (NO INFRINGEMENT/PLAGIARISM INTENDED)

The Cars' "Just What I Needed" (8-Bit Cover)

Ever wish that your lover "moves through moonbeams slowly, "knows just how to hold" you, and that "when her edges soften, her body is [your] coffin"?!  If those words don't ring a bell after more than a decade...maybe THIS LATEST TRIBUTE WILL!  And did I forget to mention that this was featured in a promo for the USA show House (not that I'm privy to modern media, mind everyone)?

Original Song: Ludo (Volpe, Ferrell, Convy, Fanciullo & Palermo - Island/Redbird 2008) - under FAIR USE (NO INFRINGEMENT/PLAGIARISM INTENDED)

Ludo's "Love Me Dead" (8-Bit Cover)

From their 2nd studio album from a decade and a half ago - namely, Sol-fa... what better time than today than to give this eminent, legendary Japanese alternative rock band the ultimate NES TREATMENT?  (PS - I vividly remember seeing their MV featuring this song on Anime Network's Bento Beat Box)

Original Song: Asian Kung-Fu Generation (M. Gotoh, K. Kita, T. Yamada & K. Ijichi);  KiOon/Tofu c/o Sony 2004, respectively - [NO INFRINGEMENT INTENDED]

Asian Kung-Fu Generation's "Loop & Loop" (8-Bit Cover)

Considering it's been more than half a decade since my previous attempt at recreating a familiar Hughes film soundtrack in NES sound format (hence this link - http://soundcloud.com/8bitkymkiii_apsychalypse/sixteencandles-alt-opening-8bit), why not switch gears with a different song from Sixteen Candles?  It's heard when Farmer Ted and Caroline - Jake's better half (portrayed by Anthony Michael Hall & Haviland Morris, respectively) - were out driving, causing all sorts of unexpected hijinx - ending with a random photo reel.  As always, enjoy fellow Bratpackers!

Original Composition: Ira Newborn(Courtesy Universal Pictures, MCA Records 1984) [NO PLAGIARISM INTENDED]

"Geek Boogie" (Sixteen Candles, NES Version)

Three letters to sum up my latest, long-awaited tribute... O M G (right?!)

Anyways, here's one for all the couples and all Dirty Dancing fans nationwide!  By now, this hit should ring a bell or two, as it was heard NOT ONLY near the end of the film during Castle & Houseman's final dance before every other Kellerman's attendee joined in the bash - but also the short-lived '88 TV series and every other form of media associated with the film.  

And then, just a few months back - it hit me as always...what if Dirty Dancing had an NES adaptation?  CONSIDER THIS RELEASE YOUR ANSWER!

Original Song: Medley, Warnes, Previte, DeNicola & Markowitz (RCA Records 1987) [NO PLAGIARISM INTENDED]

David Bowie's "Underground" (8-Bit Cover)

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